This year’s eighth edition, over 21,638 nautical miles, takes in the three great Capes – Good Hope, Leeuwin and the Horn – and sees anew technical advance in "Dali moustache" lifting foils, which seven of theparticipants are debuting this year.

The appendage helps lift the boats above the water in a dragster effect toincrease dynamic power and lighten the vessel. The leading three racers wereall using the device.

But strong northerly winds off France’s west coast made it a roughintroduction for the sailors, hours after 29 skippers from 10 countries set offfrom the French port of Les Sables d’Olonne.

"That was a hell of a first night," said Frenchman Paul Meilhat, standingsixth. "Had to change the sail twice and I didn’t sleep much nor eat."

Jeremie Beyou, eighth after day one, suffered a broken tooth after hisrudder blade flipped up and threw him off balance.

"I fell on the winch and broke a tooth. Had to call the doc," he said.

If the previous seven races – held every four years since 1989 – areanything to go by only about half the field will return to Les Sables d’Olonne.